2013 Record: 17-3-12013 State Tournament: Group 3 Co-Champion; Won Central Jersey, Group 3

Allentown tied only one game last season, and it happened to come in a scoreless draw against Northern Highlands in the Group 3 title game, making the two co-champions. It capped off a successful 2013 campaign for the Mercer County squad, and it brings back some key components in its senior class. Third Team, All-State defender Will Sjaastad, who also happened to tie for team lead in goals, will lead a Allentown, along with fellow seniors Kevin Primich and Matthew Skinner.

2013 Record:2013 State Tournament: Group 4 Champion; Won North Jersey, Section 1, Group 4

West Orange's improbable run to the Group 4 title catapulted the Essex County team from unranked to No. 3 in the final Star-Ledger Top 20 of 2013, and it is back in the rankings to kick off 2014. Senior Jon Aristizabal and junior Zach Brown highlight the returning starters. Kamsi Udodi and Diego Pedrido, who both joined the varsity squad for the final 10 games and had major impacts in the state tournament, will have the chance to make similar contributions on opening day. West Orange will also benefit from the return of senior forward Bryan Brufau, who missed his junior season due to injury.

2013 Record: 20-2-42013 State Tournament: Lost in Group 4 semifinals; Won Central Jersey, Group 4

Hunterdon Central will have to replace a couple of import cogs in a defense that allowed only eight goals last season, as goalie Cameron Zell and center back Austin Ciccarino both graduated, along with Second Team, All-State midfielder Steven Collins. Hunterdon Central will have some young pieces in its lineup, but coach Anson Smith has a large senior class he can rely on to fill important roles. Among those seniors is midfielder Nick Provenzano, who finished with three goals and nine assists last season.

Gill St. Bernard's impressed during its run to the Non-Public B title in 2013, allowing just one goal in four tournament games. The top two goal scorers from 2013 are gone, but Gill St. Bernard's brings back a wealth of talent and experience. Senior goalie Jordan Schreer will again be positioned between the posts, and Jack Lowe, who tallied 10 goals last season, will serve as a leader as a defender and midfielder. Along with its seniors, Gill St. Bernard's has plenty of juniors and sophomores back for another season, including sophomore Steven Bednarsky, who had five goals and 10 assists as a freshman.

2013 Record: 15-5-12013 State Tournament: Lost in Non-Public A final; Won South Jersey, Non-Public A

Three of Pingry's key returning starters reside on the defensive end of the field, and that will be one of the strength's of the Somerset County team as it makes the transition to Non-Public B in 2014. Jamie Cook and Clayton Wright will both be part of the defending core, while Max Lurie will again hold down the goal during his senior season. Pingry, which reached the Non-Public A final in 2012 and 2013, graduated most of its offensive production, but junior midfielder Jack Casey returns after scoring four goals and adding five assists last season. Pingry will need to rely on some newcomers to step into big roles, but coach Miller Bugliari will have talent to work with as he sits just four wins away from 800 for his illustrious career.